1124 – Wild biodiversity and Connectivity – Launch of the book Protected Landscapes and Biodiversity, and launch of WCPA International Connectivity Conservation Network

07 September 2012 | Event

Protected Planet Pavillon
11:00-13:00

In this event we will launch Protected Landscapes and Wild Biodiversity. This new publication brings together case studies from around the world in the first global attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of Category V protected areas for biodiversity conservation. It is the third volume in a series on Values of Protected Landscapes and Seascapes that has been produced by the WCPA Protected Landscapes Specialist Group (and first launched in 2008 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Barcelona). Earlier volumes in this series have explored the agro-biodiversity values as well as the cultural and spiritual values of protected landscapes.
Protected Landscapes (Category V) are protected areas based on the interactions of people and nature over time in which “safeguarding the integrity of this traditional interaction is vital to the protection, maintenance and evolution of such an area” (IUCN 2008). Protected Landscapes and Wild Biodiversity is an initial investigation into the wild biodiversity values of these places. As the authors note: Our research suggests that if correctly managed, such areas can conserve biodiversity. But in many ways we are still at the beginning of learning how to carry out landscape approaches to conservation in practice. Building on current experience is critical to future success.”
Category V protected areas have long provided a vehicle for official recognition of traditional management, and typically accommodate a range of governance regimes – including management by indigenous peoples, local communities and private individuals, as well as by governments. As IUCN prepares to include “effective and equitable governance” as one of the three key areas in its programme of work for the coming quadrennium, this session provides an opportunity to explore lessons learned about governance and protected landscapes.
A short presentation will introduce the publication and its main conclusions, and provide a brief update on recent activities of the IUCN-WCPA Protected Landscapes Specialist Group. Remarks from key partners will be followed by a facilitated discussion with the audience. In particular, participants will discuss how protected areas whose land tends to be managed by individuals or communities can be encouraged and supported to understand and monitor the impact of their activities in supporting biodiversity conservation. It will start the process of developing more activities in the run-up to the World Parks Congress related to understanding and enhancing the contribution of protected landscapes and biodiversity conservation.

The mission of the WCPA Protected Landscapes Specialist Group is to promote and demonstrate the value of Category V Protected Landscapes as a functional and practical mechanism for the protection of biodiversity, cultural diversity and the sustainable use of resources. This publication was produced with the support of GiZ, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Natural England.

Launch of the International Connectivity Conservation Network - ICCN
In this event, we will launch the International Connectivity Conservation Network (ICCN), a World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) voluntary network of individuals and organizations working on individual terrestrial and marine large-scale connectivity conservation projects and initiatives around the world. It works on a voluntary basis and primarily aims to provide information, share knowledge and offer assessment in order to foster the preservation, protection and promotion of connectivity conservation in the face of climate change’s challenges to conservation and sustainable development. The ICCN seeks to benefit its members by providing current information on connectivity conservation management and highlighting and sharing best practices based on its member’s actions in the field of connectivity conservation on a large-scale.

The ICCN is led by a team of experts that will communicate and gain knowledge on a wide range of connectivity conservation issues, and derives its mandate from the WCPA. It applies its common knowledge in order to facilitate the work of individuals and organizations involved in connectivity conservation, and provides feedback to the network on progress made in the field. The ICCN also works in close collaboration with the WCPA Transboundary Conservation Specialist Group, which shares common objectives.

The ICCN aims to organize, where and when possible, yearly meetings in different continents, seizing existing opportunities provided in global conferences with thematic affinity, such as IUCN, Society for Conservation Biology, Association for Tropical Biology conferences, or Conferences of the Parties. From time to time, it may host IUCN WCPA specialist connectivity conservation conferences.

The ICCN objectives are:
1. Developing a support and exchange network of connectivity conservation managers, researchers, other professionals and communities dealing with the management of connectivity areas at a large scale.
2. Promoting a greater awareness of values of connectivity conservation across landscapes among the international community of governments, environmental NGOs, donors and the general public, especially on the light of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
3. Establishing WCPA Connectivity Conservation Focal Points to develop an agreed plan to help facilitate large-scale connectivity conservation in key Biogeographic Realms of Earth.
4. Helping IUCN play a strong role in the connectivity conservation agenda around the world.
5. Supporting countries in the implementation of Target 11 of the CBD 2010-2020 Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
6. Facilitating the training of students, managers, other professionals and community members in connectivity conservation through e-information, workshops, seminars and academic programs.

The ICCN is facilitated by the Deputy Vice-Chair for Connectivity Conservation, as part of the WCPA Mountains and Connectivity Conservation (M&CC) Team. The ICCN is supported by an Executive Team and Regional Focal Points. Meetings and scientific events will be facilitated by the ICCN Executive Team and will be guided by the IUCN Quadrennial Programme and the more detailed M&CC Strategic four year plan. The ICCN will be part of the larger IUCN One-Programme response with particular focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives. Once confirmed by IUCN, these actions will then form part of the IUCN M&CC four year strategy, and would be part of the IUCN One-Programme approach.

Organizations and individuals may be members of the ICCN. Membership is open to large-scale connectivity conservation managers, researchers, other professionals and community group representatives working on connectivity conservation initiatives. WCPA membership is not a pre-requisite for membership of the ICCN. Members of existing networks, such as the WCPA, WCPA Regional Nodes and other IUCN specialist groups who have an interest in connectivity conservation are encouraged to also join the ICCN.